Nordic Rocks provides elementary school students with an opportunity to experience cross country skiing during the school day with their teachers and classmates, and to learn the health and lifestyle benefits associated with exercise and outdoor fun. The overarching goal of this program is to provide all children with the opportunity to ski as well as grow and develop life skills through sport. The Nordic Rocks program is generously funded by the Share Winter Foundation and the Killington World Cup Foundation and was developed to introduce children in grades K-6 to the excitement of cross country skiing.
Nordic Rocks Program Coordinator Portal
How does the program work?
NENSA assists participating Nordic Rocks schools with:
- equipment acquisition
- teaching support
- a regularly updated 5-lesson curriculum
- access to instructional videos
- games list
- optional NENSA staff program visits
The Nordic Rocks equipment consists of Madshus skis with Lost Nation R&D snowboot bindings that adjust to fit any boot size. The 5-lesson curriculum is easy to follow and offers teachers learning ideas with both outdoor and indoor activities.
Schools interested in joining Nordic Rocks will need a willing coordinator (usually a PE teacher), some extra volunteer help (whether parents/caregivers or additional teachers), and a flat area near the school for everyone to ski on (it doesn’t have to be anything fancy and no grooming is needed). In exchange for support, we ask coordinators to fill out a short data survey at the start and end of the ski season. This data is important to our grantors and also helps us gauge progress and fund the program.
“I want to be a world champion skier!”
Two students from Old Town Maine Elementary after their first time skiing
Nordic Rocks Program Coordinator
Nordic Rocks News
NENSA Awarded a 2025/26 Share Winter Foundation Grant
NENSA is thrilled and honored to be a 2025/26 Share Winter Foundation Grantee. The Share Winter Foundation is a grantmaking organization dedicated to improving the lives, health, and fitness of youth through winter sports. Their generous support continues to fund our Nordic Rocks program. Nordic Rocks is the most inclusive and equitable program offered by NENSA. Every…
Continue Reading NENSA Awarded a 2025/26 Share Winter Foundation Grant
Skiers on 30 Years of NENSA: Sadie Graham
NENSA is celebrating our 30th anniversary in 2025. As part of the occasion, we’re gathering reflections from skiers across New England on the people, moments, and values which have defined the NENSA community. Each week, we’ll feature a different member’s reflections in the NENSA Community in Kickzone. This week, we are featuring Sadie Graham, one…
NENSA Awarded Killington World Cup Foundation Grant in Continued Support of Nordic Rocks Program
NENSA is thrilled to announce that we have been awarded a grant from the Killington World Cup Foundation (KWCF) in continued support of the Nordic Rocks program. Over the past three years, KWCF’s generous support has helped NENSA grow Nordic Rocks into a program that served nearly 5,000 children in 56 elementary schools across the…
What to Expect from the NENSA Nordic Rocks Program
Before signing up, here’s a quick look at how the Nordic Rocks program works and what we ask of participating schools:
- Minimum of 4 Sessions: Each school commits to running at least four Nordic Rocks sessions during the season to give students a meaningful introduction to skiing.
- Inclusive Access: The program is designed for all K–6 students. Every child in this grade range should have access to the ski experience during school hours whenever possible.
- PE Class is the Priority: The primary setting for Nordic Rocks is Physical Education class. Afterschool programming can be an additional option, only if the program is already running in PE Class.
- No Ski Poles? No Problem! Our curriculum is all about fun, movement, and building foundational ski skills—no poles needed. This approach keeps things safe, simple, and accessible for all students, especially in the school setting. If your program includes a field trip or next-step opportunity on groomed trails, introducing poles at that stage is totally welcome and encouraged!
- Zoom Check-Ins Required: Schools must attend a Pre-Season Zoom session and a Mid-Season Zoom session to stay in the loop, share updates, and help us support you throughout the season.
- Curriculum and Resources Available: Curriculum and Resource Portal are available year-round to enrolled programs to ensure proper time for implementation. NENSA’s Youth & Introductory Program Director is available to schedule time for a program visit or call anytime, year-round.
- Quick Check-Ins, Big Impact! We’ll send out two short Google Forms—one before the season kicks off and one after it wraps up. Your responses help us improve the program, celebrate your success, and show our supporters the awesome impact Nordic Rocks is making!
- Equipment Agreement: Can’t run the program as planned? No worries—just let us know! If your school can’t participate or respond to surveys, please reach out ASAP so we can reassign gear to another eager school. We’re here to help and cheer you on every (snowy) step of the way!
Bring Nordic Rocks to your school, join the waitlist by clicking the link below.
*Please note that the Waitlist is full for the 2025-26 school year, however we are now accepting Interest Form submissions for 2026-27. If you have questions, or if you are interested in helping fund this program, please reach out to mackenzie@nensa.net.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do the bindings work?
The Lost Nation R&D Snowboot bindings are adjustable to a wide array of foot sizes, and can be attached to many different snow-boot style boots. There are two ski straps that secure your foot in the binding around the front of your foot, and around your ankle. HERE is a video on the process of developing this binding.
Do you need poles?
Ski poles are not a part of our program, although they can be used. Our curriculum focuses on games and play based learning, of which poles could pose a potential safety concern. In introductory programming, many skills are better learned without using ski poles.
How can I bring this program to my school or organization?
We serve schools in VT, NH, ME, MA, and NY. NENSA maintains a Nordic Rocks program waitlist that is always open. Please click the link below to find the current form.
Can we use the equipment for an after school program?
Yes! The curriculum is designed for the gym class environment, but we encourage schools to utilize the skis in other ways in addition to PE class. Many schools also use them for after-school programming, and during recess.
Where can we use the skis, and how much snow is needed?
Cross Country skiing is the only type of skiing that can happen at school during the school day, and you can ski just about anywhere. Our Madshus fishscale-style skis are very durable, and are designed for a wide variety of terrain. If you have nearby trails or a wooded area, they would be suitable in those conditions as well.
The skis can also be used in times of low snow (1 inch of snow is enough!) and sometimes even what we refer to as “fast grass” or frosted grass if the temperatures are agreeing with winter but the precipitation levels are not.
Contact Us
Have questions? Reach out to our program coordinator here, or at mackenzie@nensa.net.
